U.S. patent number 7,765,638 [Application Number 11/916,676] was granted by the patent office on 2010-08-03 for hybrid vacuum cleaner nozzle.
This patent grant is currently assigned to New Ermes Europe S.p.A.. Invention is credited to Massimiliano Pineschi, Riccardo Roschi.
United States Patent |
7,765,638 |
Pineschi , et al. |
August 3, 2010 |
Hybrid vacuum cleaner nozzle
Abstract
It is disclosed a vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a housing, a
rotatable brush which is adapted to brush a surface, and a turbine,
wherein a suction air flow impacting on said turbine generates a
first rotational torque for rotating said rotatable brush, wherein
it further comprises an electric power generator for generating
electric power by a rotation of said turbine; an accumulator unit
for storing said electric power; and an electric motor which is
adapted to generate a second rotational torque for rotating said
rotatable brush, wherein said electric motor is electrically
connected to said accumulator unit. The electric power generator
and the electric motor could be either integrated into a single
component or they could be separate components.
Inventors: |
Pineschi; Massimiliano
(Villanova, IT), Roschi; Riccardo (Varese,
IT) |
Assignee: |
New Ermes Europe S.p.A.
(Albizzate (Barese), IT)
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Family
ID: |
36933336 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/916,676 |
Filed: |
June 13, 2006 |
PCT
Filed: |
June 13, 2006 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/EP2006/005634 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
December 15, 2008 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2006/133886 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
December 21, 2006 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20090133213 A1 |
May 28, 2009 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jun 14, 2005 [IT] |
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MO2005A0151 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/377; 15/415.1;
15/387; 15/DIG.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L
9/0416 (20130101); A47L 9/0488 (20130101); A47L
9/0411 (20130101); Y10S 15/01 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47L
9/04 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;15/377,383-389,415.1,419,DIG.1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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383 264 |
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Jun 1987 |
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AT |
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199 12 651 |
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Sep 2000 |
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DE |
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08 322766 |
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Apr 1997 |
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JP |
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99/65376 |
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Dec 1999 |
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WO |
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Other References
International search Report mailed Sep. 25, 2006. cited by other
.
Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority dated Sep.
25, 2006. cited by other.
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Primary Examiner: Redding; David A
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Nixon & Vanderhye, P.C.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A vacuum cleaner nozzle, comprising: a housing; a rotatable
brush which is adapted to brush a surface; and a turbine, wherein a
suction air flow impacting on said turbine generates a first
rotational torque for rotating said rotatable brush wherein it
further comprises: an electric power generator for generating
electric power by a rotation of said turbine; an accumulator unit
for storing said electric power; and an electric motor which is
adapted to generate a second rotational torque for rotating said
rotatable brush, wherein said electric motor is electrically
connected to said accumulator unit.
2. The nozzle of claim 1, wherein said electric power generator and
said electric motor are integrated into a single component.
3. The nozzle of claim 1, wherein said electric power generator and
said electric motor are separated components.
4. The nozzle of claim 1, wherein said electric power generator and
said electric motor are substantially identical devices.
5. The nozzle of claim 1, further comprises a detector device for
detecting values (DV) of at least one parameter indicative of the
rotation of said rotatable brush.
6. The nozzle of claim 5, wherein said detector device comprises an
encoder and wherein said at least one parameter comprises a number
of revolutions per time unit and/or an angular speed of said
turbine.
7. The nozzle of claim 5, wherein said detector device comprises a
resistive torque detector and wherein said at least one parameter
comprises a resistive torque on said turbine.
8. The nozzle of claim 5, further comprises a switching device for
switching between a first operation mode and a second operation
mode, wherein in the first operation mode said electric power
generator generates electric power which is stored in said
accumulator unit.
9. The nozzle of claim 8, wherein in the second operation mode said
electric motor is working, fed by said electric power.
10. The nozzle of claim 8, wherein said switching device is adapted
to store a first threshold value (TV') and a second threshold value
(TV'') of said parameter indicative of the rotation of said
rotatable brush.
11. The nozzle of claim 10, wherein said switching device is
adapted to compare said plurality of detected values (DV) of said
at least one parameter with said first threshold value (TV') and
said second threshold value (TV'') and to switch between said first
operation mode and said second operation mode according to results
of said comparing.
12. The nozzle of claim 1, wherein said electric power generator
and said motor are separated components which are connected to a
shaft of said turbine at opposite sides of said turbine.
13. The nozzle of claim 1, wherein at least one of said electric
power generator and said electric motor is arranged with its axis
parallel to a shaft of said turbine, and it is connected to said
shaft by means of a gearing.
14. The nozzle of claim 13, wherein the gear ratio between said at
least one of said electric power generator and said electric motor
and said shaft is comprised between 1:3 and 3:1.
15. The nozzle of claim 1, wherein said accumulator unit comprises
at least one capacitor.
16. The nozzle of claim 15, wherein said accumulator unit comprises
at least one ultracapacitor.
17. The nozzle of claim 1, also comprises a further rotatable
brush.
18. The nozzle of claim 17, wherein said rotatable brush and said
further rotatable brush have a same rotation direction.
19. The nozzle of claim 17, wherein said rotatable brush and said
further rotatable brush have opposite rotation directions.
20. A vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising: a housing, a rotatable
brush which is adapted to brush a surface, and a turbine, wherein a
suction air flow impacting on said turbine generates a first
rotational torque for rotating said rotatable brush, wherein it
further comprises: a motor generator unit which is adapted to
generate electric power by a rotation of said turbine when it
operates in generator mode and to generate a second rotational
torque for rotating said rotatable brush when it operates in motor
mode; and an accumulator unit for storing said electric power
generated by the motor generator unit in its motor mode; wherein
said motor generator unit is electrically connected to said
accumulator unit.
21. A vacuum cleaner, further comprising a vacuum cleaner nozzle
according to claim 1.
Description
This application is the U.S. national phase of International
Application No. PCT/EP2006/005634 filed 13 Jun. 2006 which
designated the U.S. and claims priority to IT MO2005A 000151 filed
14 Jun. 2005, the entire contents of each of which are hereby
incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention generally relates to vacuum cleaners and in
particular to a vacuum cleaner nozzle.
BACKGROUND ART
Several vacuum cleaners are known in the art, both for domestic use
and for industrial use. They typically have a body which houses
internally a motor unit which produces the suction effect, a filter
unit situated ahead of the motor and an element for collecting the
sucked-up material in the form of a collector chamber or a bag.
Typically, the motor unit is connected to the exterior of the body
by means of a tube which has one end engaged inside an opening
provided in the body and an opposite end which terminates in a
mouth on which various accessories may be alternately fitted in
order to adapt the sucking action to the surfaces to be
treated.
These accessories include suction cleaner nozzles. A suction
cleaner nozzle typically comprises a housing which is provided in
the upper zone with an engaging opening for the mouth of the tube.
The housing houses a rotatable drum which has peripherally a
plurality of bristles distributed in a predefined arrangement and
intended to brush the surface to be treated and conveying the
collected material towards the opening and thus towards the tube.
The drum provided with the plurality of bristles is also termed
rotatable brush.
Rotation of the rotatable brush can be performed in various
ways.
According to a first solution, the housing has, mounted inside it,
an electric motor having, projecting therefrom, a rotatable shaft
which is connected, for example by means of an endlessly wound
drive belt, to the rotatable brush so as to transmit a rotational
movement to the rotatable brush.
Powering of the electric motor may be performed by means of the
power line or by means of batteries.
According to a second known solution, rotation of the rotatable
brush is performed by means of a turbine which is mounted opposite
the opening of the housing.
The suction action produced by the motor unit generates an air flow
conveyed towards the turbine which causes rotation thereof. The
turbine is connected to the rotatable brush by means of an
endlessly wound drive belt and transmits the rotational movement to
the rotatable brush.
The known solutions for powering the electrical motor have certain
drawbacks.
A first drawback is that the electric power supply from the power
line requires a connection between the latter and the electric
motor by means of electric cables which, therefore, hinder the user
during use of the vacuum cleaner.
Another drawback is that powering by means of batteries requires
cyclical recharging of the latter, during which the vacuum cleaner
nozzle cannot be used; moreover, the batteries require an expensive
and cumbersome recharging equipment.
A further drawback is that powering by means of turbines moved by
the suction air flow supplies a substantially low rotational torque
to the drum: this causes in given circumstances, for example,
during use of the vacuum cleaner on rugs or carpets with long pile,
a substantial reduction in the speed of rotation of the rotatable
brush. In some cases, the speed is reduced to the point of seizing
thereof, owing to the strong adhesion or possible intertwining
which occurs between the bristles and the pile of the surface being
treated and with a consequent substantial reduction in the suction
efficiency.
OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to improve the vacuum cleaner nozzles
according to the state of the art. In particular, an object of the
invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner nozzle which allows the
treatment of surfaces of any type without there being a reduction
in the suction efficiency while eliminating any cable connections
to an electrical power line and which may operate substantially
without interruption.
According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a
vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a housing, a rotatable brush, and
a turbine. When a suction air flow impacts on the turbine, it
generates a first rotational torque for rotating the rotatable
brush. The nozzle further comprises an electric power generator for
generating electric power by the rotation of the turbine; an
accumulator unit for storing the generated electric power; and an
electric motor which is adapted to generate a second rotational
torque for rotating the rotatable brush. The electric motor is
electrically connected to the accumulator unit.
The electric power generator and the electric motor may be
integrated into a single component or they could be separated
components. In this last case, they could be substantially
identical devices (for instance an electric motor which is caused
to operate as motor or as generator).
Profitably, the nozzle further comprises a detector device for
detecting values of at least one parameter indicative of the
rotation of the rotatable brush. In one embodiment, the detector
device may comprise an encoder and the at least one parameter may
comprise a number of revolutions per time unit and/or an angular
speed of said turbine. In another embodiment, the detector device
may comprise a resistive torque detector and the at least one
parameter may comprise a resistive torque on said turbine.
Preferably, the nozzle further comprises a switching device (for
instance a board with components mounted thereon) for switching
between a first operation mode and a second operation mode. In the
first operation mode the electric power generator generates
electric power which is stored in the accumulator unit. In the
second operation mode the electric motor is working, fed by the
stored electric power.
The switching device may be adapted to store a first threshold
value and a second threshold value of the parameter indicative of
the rotation of the rotatable brush.
The switching device may be adapted to compare the plurality of
detected values of the at least one parameter with the first
threshold value and the second threshold value and to switch
between the first operation mode and the second operation mode
according to results of said comparing.
When the electric power generator and the motor are separated
components, profitably, they could be connected to a shaft of the
turbine at opposite sides of the turbine.
In one convenient embodiment, at least one of the electric power
generator and the electric motor is arranged with its axis parallel
to a shaft of the turbine, and it is connected to the shaft by
means of a gearing. The gear ratio between the at least one of said
electric power generator and the electric motor and the shaft is
comprised between 1:3 and 3:1.
In one embodiment, the accumulator unit comprises at least one
capacitor.
In one preferred embodiment, the accumulator unit comprises at
least one ultracapacitor.
The nozzle according to one embodiment of the invention may also
comprise a further rotatable brush. The rotatable brush and the
further rotatable brush may have a same rotation direction or
opposite rotation directions.
According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a
vacuum cleaner nozzle comprising a housing, a rotatable brush, and
a turbine. The suction air flow impacting on said turbine generates
a first rotational torque for rotating the rotatable brush. The
nozzle further comprises: a motor generator unit which is adapted
to generate electric power by a rotation of said turbine when it
operates in generator mode and to generate a second rotational
torque for rotating the rotatable brush when it operates in motor
mode, and an accumulator unit for storing the electric power
generated by the motor generator unit in its motor mode. The motor
generator unit is electrically connected to the accumulator unit
(18).
According to a third aspect the present invention provides a vacuum
cleaner comprising a vacuum cleaner nozzle as set forth above in
connection with the first or the second aspect.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further features and advantages of the invention will emerge more
clearly from the following description, provided by way of a
non-limiting example, to be read with reference to the attached
drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner nozzle devoid of
the bottom portion, according to a first embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view at an angle different from that of
FIG. 1 of a vacuum cleaner nozzle completely devoid of a housing so
as to allow better viewing of the components;
FIGS. 3a and 3b are schematic block diagrams showing operation of
the electronic board comprised in the vacuum cleaner nozzle of
FIGS. 1-2;
FIG. 4 is a schematic plane view of a vacuum cleaner nozzle
according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a schematic plane view of a vacuum cleaner nozzle
according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a schematic plane view of a vacuum cleaner nozzle
according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a schematic plane view of a vacuum cleaner nozzle
according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a schematic plane view of a vacuum cleaner nozzle
according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 9 is a schematic plane view of a vacuum cleaner nozzle
according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
In FIG. 1, the reference numeral 1 denotes a vacuum cleaner nozzle
which can be fitted on the terminal end of a conventional suction
tube extending therefrom.
The vacuum cleaner nozzle 1 comprises a housing 2 which has a first
opening 3 directed towards the surface to be brushed and a second
opening 4. The second opening 4 is provided with an articulated
end-piece 5 which extends towards the outside so as to allow
engagement of an end of a suction tube of a vacuum cleaner (not
shown in FIG. 1), which can be both of the domestic type and of the
industrial type.
A turbine 6 is mounted inside the housing 2 and is adapted to
rotate around a shaft 7, the shaft 7 being arranged substantially
transversely to the direction of travel of the suction air
flow--indicated in FIG. 2 by the arrow "A"--which is intended to
strike the vanes of the turbine 6 so as to cause it to rotate when
the vacuum cleaner is operating.
The shaft 7 has an end which extends towards a side 102 of the
housing 2 and on which a drive pulley 8 is keyed (or otherwise
connected) so as to be rotationally integral with it.
Inside the housing 2, there is mounted a rotatable brush 9 which,
preferably, comprises a cylindrical drum 10. The cylindrical drum
10 preferably supports a plurality of bristles 11 extending
outwards, in a substantially radial direction, and it is adapted to
rotate around a drum axis (not shown in the drawings) substantially
parallel to the rotational shaft 7 of the turbine 6.
One end of the cylindrical drum 10 which is directed towards the
above mentioned side 102 of the housing 2 supports a transmission
pulley 12. A drive belt 13 is wound and tensioned between the
transmission pulley 12 and the drive pulley 8, said belt 13
transmitting the movement of the turbine 6 to the rotatable brush
9.
A motor generator unit 14 is connected on the first shaft 7, more
precisely between the drive pulley 8 and the turbine 6. The motor
generator unit 14 is adapted to operate in a first mode (or
generator mode), wherein it operates as an electric power
generator, and in a second mode (or motor mode), wherein it
operates as a motor for helping rotation of the rotatable brush 9,
as will be described in further detail below.
The Applicant has performed some positive tests by using a motor
generator unit Mabuchi RS550-PC 7.2 V, manufactured by MABUCHI
MOTOR CO.LTD, based in Matsuhidai Matsudo City (Japan). This motor
generator unit had an operating range between 6.0 V and 14.4 V, a
speed of 16130 revolutions/minute at maximum efficiency and a
torque of 47.8 mNm at maximum efficiency.
Preferably, the motor generator unit comprises a DC motor, such as
a permanent magnet motor. Alternatively, the motor generator unit
may comprise an AC motor such as a brush motor.
Preferably, the motor generator unit 14 has, associated with it, an
encoder 15, which is adapted to detect values of parameters
indicative of the speed of rotation of the shaft 7, such as the
number of revolutions per minute or the angular speed. The encoder
15 is also adapted to transmit the detected values to a processor
of an electronic board 16. The electronic board 16 is connected to
the encoder 15, for instance by means of a cable 17, as can be seen
in FIGS. 1 and 2. The electronic board 16 preferably comprises a
memory for storing predefined threshold values (a lower threshold
value and an upper threshold value) for the parameters indicative
of the speed of rotation of the first shaft 7, such as a lower and
an upper threshold number of revolutions per minute or a lower and
an upper threshold angular speed.
The electronic board 16 drives the operation of the motor generator
unit 14. FIGS. 3a and 3b are basic flow charts of a possible
operation of the electronic board 16.
By referring to FIG. 3a, it is assumed that the motor generator
unit 14 is initially operating in the generator mode. When the
values DV detected by the encoder 15 are lower than the lower
threshold value TV', i.e. in the event of a significant
deceleration in the rotation of the rotatable brush 9, owing to a
large resistance caused by a brushed surface, the electronic board
16 sends a command signal to the motor generator unit 14 for
switching it to its motor mode. So doing, the motor generator unit
14 starts to operate as a motor for supplying an additional
rotational torque to the rotatable brush 9, as it will be explained
in further detail herein.
By referring to FIG. 3b, it is now assumed that the motor generator
unit 14 is operating in the motor mode. When the values DV detected
by the encoder 15 are higher than the upper threshold value TV'',
i.e. in the event of a significant acceleration in the rotation of
the rotatable brush 9, owing to a low resistance with the floor,
the electronic board 16 sends a command signal to the motor
generator unit 14 for switching it to its generator mode. So doing,
the motor generator unit 14 starts to operate as a generator for
supplying electric power to the accumulator unit 18. The motor
generator unit 14 will continue to operate as a generator until the
rotatable brush 9 experiences a large resistance caused by a
brushed surface.
According to an alternative embodiment of the vacuum cleaner nozzle
1, in place of the encoder 15, a resistive torque detector can be
mounted, for example, on the shaft 7, for detecting the values of
resistive torque thereon and for transmitting them to the
electronic board 16. In this embodiment, the memory of the
electronic board 16 stores threshold values of the resistive
torque, for causing switching of the operation of the motor
generator unit 14.
The accumulator unit 18, for instance, may comprise at least one
capacitor 19 (for instance, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2
comprises three capacitors 19 connected in parallel), which is
connected to the electronic board 16 and to the motor generator
unit 14 by means of further cables 20.
More preferably, the at least one capacitor 19 comprises at least
one ultracapacitor. The ultracapacitors are renowned for their
characteristic of being able to be recharged very rapidly, in about
a few tens of seconds, therefore, even where all the charge of
power stored in them is used up, it is sufficient to raise the
nozzle 1 for a few tens of seconds from the surface to be cleaned,
while keeping the vacuum cleaner switched on, leaving the rotatable
brush 9 to rotate without there being any resistance with the
floor, so that it is able to resume the normal speed of rotation
and number of revolutions: the electronic board detects this new
condition and switches over the motor generator unit 14, converting
it again into an electric power generator which, driven by the
rotatable brush 9, recharges very rapidly the ultracapacitors 19,
so that they are ready for use again.
For instance, the Applicant has performed some positive tests by
using ultracapacitors produced by the company Maxwell Technologies
SA, located in Rossens (Switzerland) having serial number BCAP0350.
In an advantageous arrangement, three of said ultracapacitors have
been used in parallel.
In one preferred embodiment the electronic board 16 is not powered
by external power sources. Preferably, it is powered by the
accumulator unit (possibly comprising one or more ultracapacitors).
According to a preferred embodiment, when the turbine starts to
rotate it switches (substantially automatically) the electronic
board on and when the turbine stops rotating, the electronic board
is switched off and it substantially automatically stops to
operate. This is advantageous because the safety of the household
appliance to which the nozzle is mounted becomes highly improved.
There is no risk to have the rotatable brush rotating after
unplugging from the main electric power. Therefore, in one
preferred embodiment of the invention, the turbine operates as a
switch for the operation of the rotatable brush. Contrarily to
other state of the art nozzles, there is not a dedicated
conventional switch for switching the rotation of the brush
on/off.
The operating principle of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 1 according to
the first embodiment is as follows. The nozzle 1 is mounted at the
terminal end of a conventional suction tube which extends from a
vacuum cleaner.
When the vacuum cleaner is switched on in order to clean a surface,
a sucked air flow is generated and passes through the vacuum
cleaner nozzle 1, passing from the first opening 3 to the second
opening 4, striking the turbine 6 and causing rotation thereof.
Together with the turbine 6, the motor generator unit 14 and, via
the drive belt 13 wound around the drive pulley 8 and the
transmission pulley 12, the rotatable brush 9 are also made to
rotate, said rotatable brush collecting the impurities from the
surface to be cleaned and pushing them towards the first opening 3
so as to be sucked into the vacuum cleaner.
In these conditions, the motor generator unit 14 produces electric
power which is stored by the accumulator unit 18, which becomes
then charged.
In case the surface to be cleaned offers a high resistance, for
example in case the surface is particularly rough or has pile of
considerable length, the speed of rotation of the rotatable brush 9
becomes substantially reduced, until the number of revolutions per
minute (or the angular speed) becomes smaller than the
predetermined lower threshold value stored in the memory of the
electronic board 16. The electronic board 16, in order to
re-establish and maintain an effective action of the rotatable
brush 9, switches operation of the motor generator unit 14,
converting it into a motor which applies an additional rotational
torque to the rotatable brush 9, which is added to rotational
torque due to the turbine 6.
In this condition, the accumulator unit 18 feeds the motor
generator unit 14 with the electric power stored previously until,
if necessary, said power is used up.
FIGS. 4 to 9 show further embodiments of the suction cleaner nozzle
of the present invention. Since such Figures are particularly
intended for showing arrangements of the motor generator unit(s)
and of the brush(es) relative to the turbine, the arrangement of
the accumulator unit 18 and the switching board 16 in these Figures
is only indicative. The encoder 15 is not shown in FIGS. 4 to
9.
In particular, FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the suction
cleaner nozzle of the present invention. The suction cleaner nozzle
has been designated by reference number 50. It comprises a motor
generator unit 14, a rotatable brush 9 and a turbine 6. The motor
generator unit 14 is connected to the shaft 7 by means of a gearing
72. The gear ratio could be 1:1 or different from 1:1. Possibly,
the gearing 72 is chosen so that the gear ratio is 2:1. Similarly
to FIGS. 1, 2, a drive belt 13, a transmission pulley 12 and a
drive pulley (not shown in FIG. 4) transmit the movement of the
turbine 6 to the rotatable brush 9.
The operation of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 50 according to the
first embodiment is substantially the same as the vacuum cleaner
nozzle 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2, and therefore a full description of its
operation will not be repeated.
FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the suction cleaner nozzle of
the present invention. The suction cleaner nozzle has been
designated by reference number 100. It comprises a motor unit 141,
a generator unit 142, a rotatable brush 9 and a turbine 6. The
motor unit 141 and the generator unit 142 are keyed on, or
otherwise connected to, the shaft 7 of the turbine 6, at opposite
sides of the turbine 6. This is only exemplary, since the motor
unit 141 and the generator 142 may also be arranged at a same side
of the turbine 6. While the motor unit 141 is preferably directly
connected to the shaft 7, the generator unit 142 is connected to
the shaft 7 by means of a gearing 72. Preferably, the gear ratio is
different from 1:1. Preferably, the gearing 72 is chosen so that
the gear ratio is comprised between 1:3 and 3:1. Similarly to FIGS.
1, 2, a drive belt 13, a transmission pulley 12 and a drive pulley
(not shown in FIG. 5) transmit the movement of the turbine 6 to the
rotatable brush 9.
The operating principle of the vacuum cleaner device 100 is as
follows.
In a first operation mode, the sucked air flow passing through the
vacuum cleaner nozzle 100 causes rotation of the turbine 6.
Together with the turbine 6, the generator unit 141 and the
rotatable brush 9 are also caused to rotate. In these conditions,
the generator unit 141 produces electric power. The so produced
electric power is stored by the accumulator unit 18, which becomes
therefore charged. At such first operation mode, the motor unit 142
remains standing or it turns idle according to the commands
received from the electronic board.
In a second operation mode (for example, during use of the vacuum
cleaner on rugs or carpets with long pile), in case the speed of
rotation of the rotatable brush 9 is reduced until the number of
revolutions per minute becomes lower than the predetermined lower
threshold value, the electronic board 16 commands to activate the
motor unit 142 for applying an additional rotational torque to the
rotatable brush 9. In this second operation mode, the accumulator
unit 18 provides the motor unit 142 with the electric power stored
previously therein.
Preferably, the generator unit 141 and the motor unit 142 are
implemented by using a first motor generator unit 141 and a second
motor generator unit 142, substantially similar to the above cited
motor generator unit 14 employed into the first and second
embodiments of the present invention. In this case, in the first
operation mode, the electronic board sends a command signal to the
first motor generator unit 141 for switching it to its generator
mode. At such first operation mode, the second motor generator unit
142 remains standing or it turns idle according to the commands
received from the electronic board. Besides, in the second
operation mode, the electronic board sends a command signal to the
second motor generator unit 142 for switching it to its motor mode.
At such second operation mode, the first motor generator unit 141
remains standing or it turns idle according to the commands
received from the electronic board.
According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, in
place of the generator unit 141 of FIG. 5 a motor unit can be
arranged. Similarly, in place of the motor unit 142 of FIG. 5 a
generator unit can be arranged. Again, in a first operation mode,
the sucked air flow passing through the vacuum cleaner nozzle 100
causes rotation of the turbine 6. Together with the turbine 6, the
generator unit and the rotatable brush 9 are also caused to rotate.
In these conditions, the generator unit produces electric power.
The so produced electric power is stored by the accumulator unit
18, which becomes therefore charged. In a second operation mode,
the electronic board commands to activate the motor unit for
applying an additional rotational torque to the rotatable brush 9.
In this second operation mode, the accumulator unit 18 feeds power
to the motor unit. Again, preferably, the motor unit 141 and the
generator unit 142 are implemented by using a first motor generator
unit 141 operating in its motor mode at the second operation mode
of the vacuum cleaner nozzle and a second motor generator unit 142
operating in its generator mode at the first operation mode of the
vacuum cleaner nozzle.
FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of the suction cleaner nozzle of
the present invention, which is substantially similar to the first
embodiment 100 shown in FIG. 4. The nozzle has been designated by
reference number 200. The main difference between the nozzle 100 of
FIG. 4 and the nozzle 200 of FIG. 6 is that in FIG. 6 both the
generator unit 141 and the motor unit 142 are keyed on (or
otherwise connected to) the shaft 7 of the turbine 6 by means of
respective gearings 71, 72. Therefore, both the first gear ratio
between the shaft 7 and the generator unit 141 and the second gear
ratio between the shaft 7 and the motor unit 142 are preferably
different from 1:1. Preferably, the gearings 71, 72 are chosen so
that the first and second gear ratios are comprised between 1:3 and
3:1. The first and the second gear ratios may be either equal or
not. Again, although in FIG. 6 the generator unit 141 and the motor
unit 142 are arranged at opposite sides of the turbine 6, according
to other embodiments not shown in the drawings, units 141 and 142
may be arranged differently, for instance they could be arranged at
a same side of the turbine 6. Again, preferably, the generator unit
141 and the motor unit 142 are implemented by using a first motor
generator unit 141 operating in its generator mode at the first
operation mode of the vacuum cleaner nozzle and a second motor
generator unit 142 operating in its motor mode at the second
operation mode of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.
The operation of the vacuum cleaner nozzle 200 according to the
fourth embodiment is substantially the same as the vacuum cleaner
nozzle 100 of the third embodiment and therefore a full description
of its operation will not be repeated.
According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, in
place of the generator unit 141 of FIG. 6 a motor unit can be
arranged. Similarly, in place of the motor unit 142 of FIG. 6 a
generator unit can be arranged. The operation of such an
alternative embodiment is the same as the operation of the
alternative embodiment described in connection with FIG. 5
FIG. 7 shows a fifth embodiment of the suction cleaner nozzle of
the present invention which has been designated by reference number
300. The nozzle 300 comprises a generator unit 141, a motor unit
142, a rotatable brush 9 and a turbine 6. Differently from nozzle
100 and 200, only the generator unit 141 is connected to the shaft
7 of the turbine 6 by means of a gearing 71. Preferably, the
gearing 71 is chosen so that the gear ratio is comprised between
1:3 and 3:1. Moreover, the generator unit 141 has a rotational
shaft 7', which is preferably parallel to the shaft 7 of the
turbine 6. The rotational shaft 7' of the generator unit 141 has an
end which extends towards a side of the housing 2. A drive pulley 8
is preferably keyed at such end so as to be rotationally integral
with it. Similarly to FIGS. 1 and 2, a drive belt 13, a
transmission pulley 12 and the drive pulley 8 transmit the movement
of the turbine 6 (and then of the generator unit 141) to the
rotatable brush 9. Besides, the motor unit 142 is connected to the
rotatable brush 9 by means of a drive belt 13', a transmission
pulley 12' and a drive pulley 8' which transmit the movement of the
motor unit 142 to the rotatable brush 9. The operation of the
vacuum cleaner nozzle 300 is as follows.
In a first operation mode, the sucked air flow passing through the
vacuum cleaner nozzle 300 causes rotation of the turbine 6.
Together with the turbine 6, the generator unit 141 and the
rotatable brush 9 are also caused to rotate. In these conditions,
the generator unit 141 produces electric power which is stored by
the accumulator unit 18, which becomes therefore charged.
In a second operation mode (for example, during use of the vacuum
cleaner on rugs or carpets with long pile), in case the speed of
rotation of the rotatable brush 9 is reduced until the number of
revolutions per minute becomes smaller than the predetermined lower
threshold value, the electronic board 16 commands to activate the
motor unit 142 for applying an additional rotational torque to the
rotatable brush 9. In this second operation mode, the accumulator
unit 18 then transmits to the motor unit 142 the electric power
stored previously until, if necessary, said power is used up.
Again, preferably, the generator unit 141 and the motor unit 142
are implemented by using a first motor generator unit 141 operating
in its generator mode at the first operation mode of the vacuum
cleaner nozzle and a second motor generator unit 142 operating in
its motor mode at the second operation mode of the vacuum cleaner
nozzle.
According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, in
place of the generator unit 141 of FIG. 7 a motor unit can be
arranged. Similarly, in place of the motor unit 142 of FIG. 7 a
generator unit can be arranged. Again, in a first operation mode,
the sucked air flow passing through the vacuum cleaner nozzle 300
causes rotation of the turbine 6. Together with the turbine 6, the
generator unit and the rotatable brush 9 are also caused to rotate.
In these conditions, the generator unit produces electric power.
The so produced electric power is stored by the accumulator unit
18, which becomes therefore charged. In a second operation mode,
the electronic board commands to activate the motor unit for
applying an additional rotational torque to the rotatable brush 9.
In this second operation mode, the accumulator unit 18 feeds power
to the motor unit.
Other embodiments of the suction cleaner nozzle according to the
present invention may also comprise more than one rotatable brush
9.
For instance, FIG. 8 shows a sixth embodiment of the suction
cleaner nozzle of the present invention which has been designated
by reference number 400. The suction cleaner nozzle 400 comprises a
single motor generator unit 14, a first rotatable brush 91, a
second rotatable brush 92 and a turbine 6. The motor generator unit
14 is keyed on (or otherwise connected to) the shaft 7 of the
turbine 6, by means of a gearing 71. Preferably, the gearing 71 is
chosen so that the gear ratio is comprised between 1:3 and 3:1.
Preferably, the motor generator unit 14 has a rotational shaft 7',
which is preferably parallel to the shaft 7 of the turbine 6. The
rotational shaft 7' has an end which extends towards a side of the
housing 2 and on which a drive pulley 8 is preferably keyed so as
to be rotationally integral with it. Similarly to FIGS. 1 and 2, a
drive belt 13, a transmission pulley 12 and the drive pulley 8
transmit the movement of the turbine 6 (and then of the unit 14) to
the first rotatable brush 91. Besides, a drive pulley 12', a drive
belt 13' and a transmission pulley 8' transmit the movement of the
first rotatable brush 91 to the second rotatable brush 92, in such
a way that the first and second rotatable brushes 91 and 92 have
opposite rotation directions. Alternatively, the first and second
rotatable brushes 91, 92 may have the same rotation direction.
In a first operation mode, the sucked air flow passing through the
vacuum cleaner nozzle 400 causes rotation of the turbine 6.
Together with the turbine 6, the motor generator unit 14, the first
rotatable brush 91 and the second rotatable brush 92 are also made
to rotate. In these conditions, the motor generator unit 14
produces electric power which is stored by the accumulator unit 18,
which becomes then charged.
In a second operation mode (for example, during use of the vacuum
cleaner on rugs or carpets with long pile), in case the speed of
rotation either of the first or the second rotatable brush 91, 92
is reduced until the number of revolutions per minute becomes lower
than the predetermined minimum value, the electronic board switches
operation of the motor generator unit 14, converting it into a
motor for applying an additional rotational torque to the first
rotatable brush 91, and then to the second rotatable brush 92. In
this condition, the accumulator unit 18 transmits to the motor
generator unit 14 the electric power stored previously until, if
necessary, said power is used up.
The single motor generator unit can be replaced, in other
embodiments that are not shown, by a motor unit and a separate
generator unit similarly to the arrangements of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7.
In this case, preferably, the motor unit and the generator unit are
implemented by using a first motor generator unit operating in its
generator mode at the first operation mode of the vacuum cleaner
nozzle and a second motor generator unit operating in its motor
mode at the second operation mode of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.
FIG. 9 shows a seventh embodiment of the suction cleaner nozzle of
the present invention which has been designated by reference number
500. The suction cleaner nozzle 500 comprises a generator unit 141,
a motor unit 142, a first rotatable brush 91, a second rotatable
brush 92 and a turbine 6. Both the generator unit 141 and the motor
unit 142 are connected to the shaft 7 of the turbine 6, by means of
respective gearings 71, 72. Preferably, the gear ratio between the
shaft 7 and the generator unit 141 and the gear ratio between the
shaft 7 and the motor unit 142 is different from 1:1. Preferably,
the gearings 71 and 72 are chosen so that the first and second gear
ratios are comprised between 1:3 and 3:1. The gear ratios may be
either equal or not.
Moreover, the generator unit 141 has a rotational shaft 7' with an
end which extends towards a side of the housing 2 and on which a
drive pulley 8 is keyed (or otherwise connected) so as to be
rotationally integral with it. A drive belt 13, a transmission
pulley 12 and the drive pulley 8 transmit the movement of the
turbine 6 (and then of the generator unit 141) to the first
rotatable brush 91. Besides, a transmission pulley 12', a drive
belt 13' and a drive pulley (not shown) transmit the movement of
the motor unit 142 to the second rotatable brush 92, in such a way
that the first and second rotatable brushes 91 and 92 have opposite
rotation directions. Alternatively, the first and second rotatable
brushes 91, 92 may have the same rotation direction.
In a first operation mode, the sucked air flow passing through the
vacuum cleaner nozzle 500 causes rotation of the turbine 6.
Together with the turbine 6, the generator unit 141, the first
rotatable brush 91 and the second rotatable brush 92 are also made
to rotate. In these conditions, the generator unit 141 produces
electric power which is stored by the accumulator unit 18, which
becomes then charged. At such first operation mode, the motor unit
142 remains standing or it turns idle according to the commands
received from the electronic board.
In a second operation mode (for example, during use of the vacuum
cleaner on rugs or carpets with long pile), in case the speed of
rotation either of the first or the second rotatable brush 91, 92
is reduced until the number of revolutions per minute becomes lower
than the predetermined minimum value, the electronic board commands
to activate the motor unit 142 for applying an additional
rotational torque to the second rotatable brush 92. In this second
operation mode, the accumulator unit 18 then transmits to the motor
unit 142 the electric power stored previously until, if necessary,
said power is used up.
Again, preferably, the generator unit 141 and the motor unit 142
are implemented by using a first motor generator unit 141 operating
in its generator mode at the first operation mode of the vacuum
cleaner nozzle and a second motor generator unit 142 operating in
its motor mode at the second operation mode of the vacuum cleaner
nozzle.
The nozzle according to the present invention results in a number
of advantages over the prior art nozzles, some of them have been
mentioned above.
Profitably, when ultracapacitors are used, the nozzle has an
exceptionally long operation life. As said above, in addition,
ultracapacitors are able to recharge very rapidly.
The nozzle according to the present invention results in lower
environmental impact because there are no rechargeable batteries
(presently Ni-Mh or NICd) to be wasted.
Conventional devices for recharging the rechargeable batteries are
not necessary.
No connection to power lines separated from the nozzle should be
provided and the operation costs are low. In fact, the nozzle
according to the present invention should be fed only with the
electric power which is necessary for powering the main motor of
the vacuum cleaner. Profitably, the turbine could operate as a
switch for the brush as set forth above.
In the known nozzles provided only with a turbine for turning the
rotatable brush the brushing efficiency is only dependent from the
power of the main motor of the vacuum cleaner. Therefore, vacuum
cleaner provided with low power motors obtain low brushing effect.
In the nozzle according to the present invention, the brushing
efficiency does not only depend on the power of the main motor but
also on the characteristics of the nozzle motor which is powered by
the accumulator unit. Therefore, the nozzle according to the
invention results in valuable results also when connected to a low
power vacuum cleaner.
Again, thanks to the absence of electric connections outside the
nozzle, different power requirements, often dependent from the
country where the vacuum cleaner has to be used, are overcome.
The nozzle according to the present invention is profitably usable
in connection with conventional household use vacuum cleaners
and/or with vacuum cleaners for industrial use. Advantageously, it
can be also used in centralized vacuum cleaners. In such vacuum
cleaners, especially when they are installed in large buildings,
the suction is rather low and this does not allow the use of
turbine powered rotatable brushes.
A further possible use of the nozzle according to the present
invention is in connection with water filtering vacuum cleaners,
steam injection and suction appliances or with the so called wet
& dry appliances. Generally these kinds of vacuum cleaners are
not allowed to use conventional 230V or 130V powered nozzles for
safety reasons.
Therefore, for the purposes of the present invention, the term
"vacuum cleaner" as used in the present description and in the
claims will comprise any device of the group comprising: household
use vacuum cleaners, vacuum cleaners for industrial use, vertical
vacuum cleaners, centralized vacuum cleaners, water filtering
vacuum cleaners, steam injection and suction appliances, back-pack
vacuum cleaners, belt vacuum cleaners, electric brooms, wet &
dry appliances, wall mounted appliances or the like. Similarly, the
term "vacuum cleaner nozzle" should be intended as a nozzle for use
in connection with any of the above vacuum cleaners.
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